Universal Music Group Eyes U.S. Stock Market Debut Amid Industry Momentum
Universal Music Group (UMG), the global powerhouse behind chart-topping artists like Taylor Swift, Drake, and Lady Gaga, has filed plans to go public in the United States – marking a major move that could reshape the landscape of the global music business.
Already listed on the Euronext Amsterdam stock exchange with a valuation nearing €50 billion ($58.5 billion), UMG confirmed it has submitted a confidential filing to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for a potential public offering. The size and timing of the offering remain undisclosed, with the company noting that the move is still subject to regulatory review.
UMG represents some of the most influential names in music today, including Billie Eilish, Harry Styles, and Ariana Grande. Its catalog also spans musical history, with ownership of iconic labels such as Motown Records – home to legends like Marvin Gaye and Michael Jackson – and Capitol Music Group, known for acts like The Beatles and Katy Perry.
The decision to seek a U.S. listing comes at a buoyant time for American financial markets. On Monday, both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite closed at record highs, rebounding after recent volatility tied to U.S. trade policy under former President Donald Trump.
Confidential filings like UMG’s allow companies to quietly gauge investor interest and fine-tune offering details before making their plans public. The U.S. listing has long been encouraged by one of UMG’s largest shareholders, billionaire investor Bill Ackman. His hedge fund, Pershing Square, has argued that a U.S. debut would increase the company’s market value and improve share liquidity.
“We also believe the US listing will greatly improve trading liquidity for the shares,” Ackman said earlier this year in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
The company’s path hasn’t been without friction. In 2024, UMG was locked in a high-profile dispute with social media giant TikTok over royalty payments, leading to the temporary removal of its catalog from the platform. The issue was resolved in May, restoring music from UMG artists to millions of users worldwide.
UMG’s potential U.S. listing would further solidify its standing as the dominant force in the music industry – and signal growing investor confidence in the value of global music rights as streaming and digital platforms continue to drive growth.
